Annual Celebration Of Hope Dinner

(Washingtonville) - In celebration of the 20th Anniversary of Safe Homes of Orange County, friends and family gathered for the annual Celebration of Hope Dinner.

The celebration pays tribute to individuals who make a difference in the lives of women and children in Orange County. As Safe Homes Executive Director Michele McKeon said, “There are those who say that on a night like this, I spend my time preaching to the choir. However, to paraphrase Reverend Billings, even the choir practices once a week.”

And so McKeon “preached a sermon to the choir” that was as inspiring as it was challenging. Noting the great progress that has been made since 1986, in the handling of domestic violence police calls, court cases and media coverage, McKeon challenged everyone to step it up, so 20 years from now domestic violence will no longer exist. “I challenge each of you to help us eliminate domestic violence; help us strengthen the safety net for women and children. We must each do our part; working together we will make a difference; we will make women safer; we will save lives. Then, and only then, will each home be a safe home.”

The annual dinner is also a time to honor those who have been inspiring examples of change in the community. Those honors this year went to Margaret O’Neill and Mandy Villodas.

Detective Sergeant Margaret O’Neill received Safe Homes highest award for her work on behalf of victims of domestic violence during her 23-year career as a police officer, uniform sergeant and detective sergeant in the Town of Newburgh Police Department. She conducted the first domestic violence training of police departments in Orange County, nearly 10 years ago. She also served on the Safe Homes Board of Directors. In presenting her with the Hope Award, McKeon said, “her work on behalf of victims continues into her retirement, and we are lucky to have such a strong, passionate advocate working for us.”

Mandy Villodas, Owner of The English Rose Day School received the Mildred Warren Good-Neighbor Award for “her generous initiative to mobilize her school community, and her own family, in support of women and children displaced by domestic violence.” McKeon said, “Whenever we need her, without hesitation or condition she has stepped forward to assist women and children who are using our services and find themselves without even the basic of living supplies. We are fortunate to know we can call on her and her school community and it will be taken care of.”

The first Ursula Forem Scholarship was also awarded. Named in memory of a past Safe Homes’ employee who was killed in a car accident in February of 2001, the scholarship is open to any woman currently enrolled in college, majoring in Women Studies, Human Services or Social Work. The first recipient, Kelly Burley, demonstrated Ursula’s vision for the prevention of violence against women and children, and for the enforcement of the accountability of perpetrators. Pictured Above: Vanessa Green, and Safe Homes Executive Director Michele McKeon celebrated the 20th anniversary of Safe Homes during the annual Celebration of Hope Dinner.